Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-29
ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS.
Imocu0us Dcsuetlade I'm the Navy. and
the Necessity for Active Service.


petition very soon," said q well-known naval OF.
hcer to-day, in answer TO a STAR reporters inaui.
ries, although it would be just Ike Lieut. Emory
to insist upon making one In the Thetis II Dos
sible"
al think, however, ne continued, "that the
Secretary OF the Navy would not sanction such a
project and am sure hope he wouldn't 1 be-
ieve, though I'm arctic expeditions and that they
should be carried out by the navy, but not in any
hap-hazard, happy -go-lucky manner. They should,
think, be organized In the most careful and thor
ough manner, under the direction OF the govern
with the utmost care, neither trouble nor expense
being spared TO insure their success. Such things
would be OF great benefit TO the navy, whether the
north pole is ever reached or not, by maintaining
that element OF danger without which the
military rapidly grows useless. Very likely
some lives would be lost, but that would
That is perhaps rather cold-hearted
view TO take, but the navy needs something 10 stir
shore duty entirely too much for their own good.
They are not to blame, for there is nothing TO go
until they are so unaccustomed 10 vessel that
half OF them would be made sea sick IL they went
TO sea, ought to be broken up In one way or an
other for the good OF the service. Why, i believe
that II the necessity should arise for putting the
navy afloat Immediately, more than half OF the
o o a would Dc found utterly worthless when put
pletely. Now that's all wrong. n we can't get
get enough modern ships Go make a decent navy
livery, or else abolish the whole thing. We have
had enough OF this parade business
90
District Public school Bill.
To the Editor of the EVENING STAR
Twas gratined at the passage by the House OF
Representatives, OF our District public school bill
and especially SO after seeing In New York paper
illusions to IL which would have defeated It had
the statements been believed by members OF Con.
gress. A Washington correspondent OF one OF the
New York Journals, OF great influence throughout
the country, referred TO this bill on December n
1856, as follows:
Monday Of last week was District day. and it vas
School Bl' The object this tbD is 70 place in the
sites, the erection Of buildings the purchase furi
ture the making of all contracts . and the e1-
pendtre OF half amillion OF dollars annually in school
administration"
This is the correspondents statement OF facts
upon which he bases some remarks about ''specu-
lators, ''corruptions," McQuade 'boodlers" and .
''nonstrous scheme not credtable 10 the intelli-
gence OF the House.
Now, the truth is that the school bill does noe
confer upon the board OF education, these twenty
four men that the correspondent is talking about,
any one OF these powers Under it, they neither
purchase SITES nor erect buildings nor purchase
furniture, nor make contracts, nor expend money,
much or little, In school administration. IL IS
pleasant TO find that members OF Congress did not
vince under the lash OF this correspondent, but
manfully came TO the support OF the bill and
That influential Baptist paper OF New York
The Examiner, conducted by one or the noblest
christian gentlemen-lDr. Bright has an editorial
in the issue OF January 20, 1857, on .Distr1ct
school bill" which l. with all Others interested In
public school administration, thank him for from
the heart. This Is what he says:
THE bill known the District of Columbia School
bill which has passed the House and awaits the action
OF sS the Of ia his p BY
twenty -four PERSONS who appoint
with the advice and consent of the Commissioners and
also teachers janitors and other employees by Of
majority of the board. To teachers prescribe
courses OF study and ter books control discipline
spect schools, recommend repairs or new buildings,
prepare annual budget. and recommend to the
missoners for approval dsapproval all bills and
counts the other chief powers and duties
rated. All control over expenditure of money still
remains with the Commissioners, most of the boards
unobjectionabie indeed. commendabe, since Il will
tend to relieve the Commissioners of administrative
details while still placing them responsibility fog
expenditure contracts purchases Of sites and erection
of buildings IL is supported by citizens Of the highest
character. and seems likely TO pass the Senate"
The editor has examined the bill, knows many
of the committee who have urged its passage and
he says: ''The bill seems quite unobJectionabe,
indeed ',c0mmendable" since IL Will tend TO relieve
the Commissioners OF administrative details,
while still placing on them responsibility for ex-
pendftures, contracts, purchases OF sites and
erection OF buildings-and he is very correct
highest character" trust his prediction that at
seems likely TO pass the senate will come TO pass
The senate Will not, trust permit this bill so
sacred TO our people, 10 be defeated by any amend
ment which win render Its passage by the present
Congress Impossible. The bill fs correct now In
the opinion OF the citizens, and II not 1t can lie
amended a future COnQreSS